Time system



Dec. 5, 1944. f R.- L. LORENZ TIME SYSTEM Filed Sept. 16, 1942 INVENTOR. RICIMRD L. LORLENZ ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 5, 1944 TIME SYSTEM Richard L. Lorenz, Chicago, Ill., assigner to General Time Instruments Corporation, New York,. N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 16, 1942, Serial No. 458,601

7 Claims.

This invention relates in general to time systems and more particularly to a corrective or synchronizing time system in which the individual secondary units are periodically corrected to Ibring them into synchronism With the master clock or control unit. The main object of the invention is to provide a system of this type in which the current for the controlling impulses for the timing magnets and the operating current for the rprinting magnets or other means in the seco-ndary devices are always of the same characteristics, thereby permitting all circuits to be run from the central control point to the secondary apparatus in a single system of conduit.

In known systems. which include recorders or time stamps having electrical printing means, the current, for operating the printing means is usually of higher voltage and often differs in other characteristics from the current used for the timing and correcting impulses. In such cases the usual practice is to obtain the operating current from a power outlet near the device, or to run a separate system of conduit for the power leads if it is desired to supply this operating current from the control point. According to the rpresent invention, only one system of conduit is required for all control circuits between the masvter and secondary apparatus.

According to another feature of the invention, no electrical contacts are required in the timing and synchronizing controlcircuits of the secondary apparatus, thereby eliminating one of the chief sources of trouble in corrective time systems.

Other objects and featuresof the invention will be apparent from a perusal of the following specication when read in connection with the accompanying drawing,r comprising one ligure only, which is a diagrammatic representation of a corrective time system incorporating the present in- In the drawing, M shows diagrammatically parts of the master or control clock with the various control cams and contacts, Sal illustrates a secondary device which is slow with respect to the master clock, and S-2 illustrates a secondary device which has been stoppedduring the synchronizing period.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the master clock M is of the usual type and has therefore lbeen shown only diagrammatically, omitting all standard parts not necessary for an understanding of this invention.

The master clock includes the usual verge mechanism I 'and the escape wheel 2, the latter being mountedon a shaft which revolves once per minute.V Also mounted on the shaft with the escape wheel is the cam 3 which controls the contacts 6, whereby these contacts are momentarily closed once each Aminute for a period of one or two seconds.

The Verge I is provided with a [pair of oppositely extending Contact operating levers which control the contacts 4 and 5. Thus the contacts 4 and 5 are alternately closed during successive oscillations of verge I.

The master clock is also provided with two cams, 'I and 8, mounted on the minute shaft. The cam 'I is provided Witha notch in its periphery and controls the contact carrying lever 9 which mounts the contact spring IU. Cam 8 is similarly provided with a notch in its periphery and controls the contact lever 45. These tWo cams co-operate in controlling the opening and closing of the contacts I I and I2 in a manner to be described later.

I3 and I4 indicate lines extending to a source of volt alternating current.

Twofsecondary devices S--I and S-Z have been shown in the drawing. These may be secondary clocks, recorders or time stamps and only sucient [parts have been shown to enable one to obtain a clear understanding of the opera-- tion. The devices illustrated in the drawing are time stamps or recorders of the so-called automatic type in which the printing operation is electrically effected by the insertion of a card or paper into the device.

Referring to the illustration of S-I, the device includes a printing or hammer operating magnet 23, the circuit oi which is controlled by the card or paper operated contacts 24. The -device includes the usual timing magnet I9 which responds to impulses received over the control circuit from the master clock. The magnet I9 is provided with an armature lever 20 which carries the operating pawl 35 at its upper end. This pawl engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 40 which is mounted on the minute shaft of the secondary device. The ratchet wheel 40 is; provided With 60 teeth and therefore makes one revolution per hour in response to the minute impulses received from the master clock.

A retaining pawl 34 is provided in order to prevent retrograde movement of the ratchet Wheel. Spring 36 interconnects the two pawls to maintain them in engagement with the ratchet wheel 40. A stop 22 is provided to limit the movement of armature lever 20 and the armature lever is held against this stop by the operating spring 2 I. Thus each timethe magnet I9 is energized, the armature-lever moves against the pole pieces of themagnet and the pavvl 35 engages the succeeding tooth on the ratchet Wheel 40. When the magnet de-energizes, the operating spring 2| restores the armature llever against stop 22 and during this movement the ratchet wheel 40 is advanced l@ of a revolution.

Also mounted on the minute shaft is a disc 31 which has a notch 38-in its periphery. This notch 38 is adapted to be engaged by a projection of the crank 32. Also pivotally mounted on an.

extension of the armature lever is a lever 29 having a tail which is normally held against the stop 3| by means of spring 30. The end of lever 29 rests against the plunger 21 of a solenoid type magnet 2B.

The system is arranged to provide hourly correction of the secondary devices. S-I shows the secondary apparatus prior to the synchronizing or correction period. As time magnet I9 is energized the armature lever 20 is attracted and the projection 39 is held tightly against the periphery of disc 31 by spring 33. Bell crank lever 32 thereby revolves in a clock-wise direction on the armature lever. Similarly the upper end of lever 29 rests against plunger 21 and when armature lever 29 is operated, lever 29 revolves clock-wise on its pivot stretching the spring 38. When magnet I9 is de-energized, the parts return to the 5 position shown in the drawing and the ratchet wheel 49 and disc 31 are advanced the space of one tooth.

When the secondary devices reach the synchronizing position and magnet I9 is energized, the projection 39 enters slot 38, thereby permitting the plunger 21 to drop behind projection 39 and lock the Ibe-ll crank lever 32 in this position. This also locks the armature lever 29 in its attracted position even after the magnet I9 is de-energized since the lower arm of bell crank lever 32 rests against stop 46.

The downward motion of plunger 21 is limited by the pin 28 projecting from the side of this plunger which pin engages the' top of lever 29. After the synchronizing period, the solenoid magnet 29 is energized simultaneously with the timing magnet I9. The plunger 21 is drawn upwardly releasing lever 29 which turns counterclockwise on its pivot until the tail thereof engages stop 3I. This places the end of the lever beneath the plunger 21 and maintains the plunger in position when the magnet 26 is deenergized.

When magnet -I9 is de-energized the armature lever 20 returns to unoperated position and during this return movement, leverA 29 is moved from beneath plunger 21 and is replaced by the upwardly extending arm of bell crank lever 32. Plunger 21 drops until it rests on the upper end of the bell crank lever. The parts have now been returned to the position shown for S-I.

S-2 diagrammatically shows a secondary device which has been locked in inoperative position during the synchronizing period. The armature lever 2D isheld in operated position, the projection 39 is locked in the slot 38 by plunger 21 which has dropped so that the pin 28 rests on the end oi lever 29.

Half wave rectifier units are provided in the circuits of the timing magnets and ther solenoid magnets in order to reduce the current consumption of the secondary devices. The printing magnets 23 are operated directly by the alternating current o-ver control conductors I1 and I8.

Having described the construction of the master clock and secondary devices, the method of operation of the system will now be explained.

Contacts 6 are closed once each minute by cam 3, thereby completing a circuit from the lpower line I3, contact 6, conductor I8 of the cont'rol circuit extending to the secondary device, conductor 4I, magnet I9, rectier unit 25, conductor 43, line I6 to the power line I4. This completes the circuit to the timing magnet I9 which momentarily operates and advances the ratchet wheel 40 1A, of a revolution upon de-energization of the magnet, as has been explained above.

The contacts II and I2 are normally open when the contact carrying levers 9 and 45 are riding upon the peripheries of cams 1 and 8. At approxivmately 59 minutes and 10 seconds after the hour the contact carrying lever 45 drops into the notch of cam 8, thereby closing contacts I2. This completes a circuit from power line I3 through contacts I2 and the VergeI controlled contacts 4 and 5 which are alternately operated about every two seconds, 1ine conductor I8, through the secondary timing magnets such as I9, and back to the other side of the power source I4 over line conductor I6. The fast impulses transmitted over this circuit rapidly advance any secondary device which may be slow with respect to the master clock and has not yet reached its 59th minute position. When the secondary device reaches its 59th minute position, the slot 38 is opposite projectio-n 39 and upon the succeeding energization of magnet I9 the projection enters the slot and the armature lever is locked in energized position by means of plunger 21 as has been previously described. This position of a secondary device is shown in the representation of S-2. Each succeeding fast impulse has no effect upon the locked secondary device. Thus it is seen that any device which is fast with respect to the master clock will be locked in position 59 as soon as it reaches such position. Any device which is slow will be rapidly advanced by the fast impulses which are transmitted from the 'master clock between the 59th and 60th minute, and will be locked in the 59th minute position, and thereafter will be inoperative by the remainder of the fast impulses.

Shortly after 59 minutes and 10 seconds after the hour, the contact carrying lever 9 drops in the notch in cam 1 but this does not lower the contact lever I9 sufficiently to close contacts II.

When the master clock reaches a position corresponding to 59 minutes and 50 seconds after the hour, the contact carrying lever 45 is raised by cam 8, opening contacts I2 to stop the transmission of fast impulses to the secondary devices, and closing contacts I I. When the master clock reaches the even hour position, contacts 6 are again closed by cam'3, thereby completing a circuit to the timing magnets of the secondary devices as previously described and also completing a circuit through contacts 6, contacts II, line conductor I5, solenoid magnets 26, rectier units 25, conductors 43, and back to the other side of the power source over line conductor I6. The solenoid magnets in the secondary devices are thus energized simultaneously with the timing magnets, raising plungers 21 and permitting levers 29 to revolve counter-clockwise to bring the ends thereof underneath these plungers.

At the termination of the 60th minute impulse, the timing magnets and the solenoid magnets are de-energized restoring the secondary apparatus to the normal condition as illustrated in S-I.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that the system provides for correction of the secondary apparatus once each hour or other desired period during which correction all slow secondaries are advanced into synchronization with the master clock and all fast secondaries as the control impulses.

cally eiTective when are locked in a pre-determined position until the master clock reaches such pre-determined position. All the secondary devices are then started off in synchronism by the master clock. All of this control is accomplished by impulses all of which have the same characteristics. This-eliminates the undesirable features of prior systems in which it was necessary to provide impulses of reversed polarity, impulses of two dilerent voltages, or both alternating and direct current impulses.

It will also be noted that the operating current for the printing magnets in the secondary devices is obtained from the center control point and that this current is of the same characteristics This permits all of the control conductors from the master clock to the secondaries to be ru'n in the same conduit.

Prior systems which used one type of current for controlling impulses and another high voltage current for the operating magnets required the running of two systems of conduit or obtaining the current supply for the printing magnets locally for each device and thereby losing the desirable feature of having all of they current supply originate from the control station.

Although only one particular embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and changes in the mechanism may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as dened in the following claims. l

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and is desired to have protected by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a secondary apparatus for use in a corrective time system, an impulse magnet and an armature therefor for' effecting all advancing movements of said apparatus, means auto-matisaid apparatus reaches a predetermined chronological position for mechanically blocking said armature in its attracted position to prevent' effective movement thereof by said magnet, a second magnet for removing said blocking means from 4blocking position, and means for holding said lblocking means in `nonblocking position until said apparatus has advanced from said predetermined chronological position.

2. In a 'secondary apparatus for a corrective time system, an impulse magnet controlled by impulses received over a control circuit, an armature for said magnet for effecting all advancing movements of said apparatus, a synchronizing disc rotated by said magnet and having a notch in its periphery, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said armature and having one arm engaging the periphery of said disc and adapted to engage said notch in a ypre-determined chronological position of said apparatus, mechanical blocking means normally held in ineffective position yby said arm and released when said arm enters said notch to hold same therein and to lock said armature in energized position, and electrical means for moving said blocking means to non-blocking position.

3. In a secondary apparatus for a corrective time system, an impulse magnet controlled by V impulses received over a control circuit, an armature for said magnet for eiecting advancing movement oi said apparatus, a. bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said armature for limited movement relative thereto, means normally engaging the end of one larm` of said lever to hold same against movement whereby said lever oscillates about its pivot during movements of said armature, said means ineffective in' a pre-determined position of said apparatus, mechanical `blocking means normally held in inoperative position `by said arm and released thereby when said apparatus reaches said pre-determined position to block said armature in its energized position, and means controlled over said control circuit for removing said blocking means from blocking position.

4. In a secondary apparatus for use in a corrective time system, an impulse magnet having an armature and pawl for -electing advance of said apparatus in response to impulses received over a control circuit, mechanical blocking means for blocking said armature in energized position to prevent advance of said apparatus by' received impulses, holding means for maintaining said blocking means in non-blocking position, means controlled by the chronological position of said apparatus for removing said holding means whereby said Iblocking means becomes eective to block said armature, and means controlled over said control circuit for restoring said blocking means to non-blocking position.

5. In a secondary apparatus for use in a corrective time system, electrically operated advancing means yfor said apparatus, mechanical blocking means yfor blocking advance of said apparatus, holding means for normally holding said blocking means in Anon-blocking position, means controlled in accordance with the chronological position of said apparatus for releasing said holding means whereby said blocking means moves to blocking position, electrically operated means for restoring said blocking means to non-'blocking position, and auxiliary holding means for holding said blocking means in non-blocking position until said normal holding means is restored to holding position.

6. In a secondary apparatus for use in a corrective time system, electrically operated advancing means for said apparatus, mechanical blocking means for blocking advance of said apparatus, holding means for maintaining said blocking means in non-blocking position, and means for removing said holding means to permit said blocking means to assume blocking position, said means |being operative only when said apparatus is at rest in a particular predetermined chronological position.

7. In a secondary apparatus for use in a corrective time system, electrically operated advancing means for said apparatus, mechanical blocking means for blocking sai-d advancing means, holding means for maintaining said blocking means in non-blocking position, means eilective in a predetermined chronological position of said apparatus for removing said holding means to permit said blocking means to assume blocking position, means for restoring said blocking means to non-blocking position, and means for holding said blocking means in non-blocking position until said rst holding means is returned to holding position upon advance of said apparatus from said predetermined chronological position.

RICHARD L. LORENZ. 

